If you’ve considered buying a 3D printer, you’ve probably also considered the cost of the 3D printer controller. While 3D printers themselves have become more accessible in terms of price, the convenience of a 3D printer-controller combo is still a major consideration. But the good news is that there are many different controllers that fit a wide range of budgets.
Here, we’ve rounded up the best 3D printer controllers to help you find the right one for your needs.
Read on to learn more.
Our Editor’s Best 3d Printer Controllers Reviews
- Effortless 3D Creation: Start your 3D printing journey with just one click using our smart app, perfect as a beginner 3D printer for kids and home use; compatible across iOS, Android, and Windows platforms for a seamless experience; voice commands make it accessible and fun for all ages
- Precision and Speed: Achieve professional-grade, kids 3D printer with 0.05 mm accuracy at speeds up to 200 mm/s; this small 3D printer features an innovative quick-release nozzle for easy changes, ensuring smooth and consistent printing every time
- Creative Library Access: Dive into a vast catalog of over 1,500 digital designs with weekly updates, perfect for a 3D printer for kids; includes 15+ themed design modules, providing endless customization options tailored for both kids and home use
- DIY Customization: Personalize your small 3D printer with printable decorations; a unique feature that makes this an ideal 3D printer for home, allowing for a truly individualized and creative look
- Monitor with Ease: The built-in camera allows real-time monitoring of your printing projects from your smartphone, ideal for a 3D printer for home use; it also automatically generates time-lapse videos for sharing your creative process, making it a perfect 3D printer for kids
- Quality Prints at High Speed: With PowerBoost 2.0 technology and Ultra Direct Extruder, AnkerMake M5C can achieve printing speeds of up to 500 mm/s while maintaining 0.1 mm precision, so you can create quality models faster and more efficiently.
- Easy Control From Anywhere: With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, you can control the printer, monitor the status of your prints, and transfer sliced models directly from your mobile device. The user-friendly AnkerMake app is easy to use for beginners and pros alike.
- Next-Level Detail with Precision Mode: This all-new feature supports up to 50 μm resolution when using a 0.2 mm nozzle. Supported by multiple advanced algorithms, it makes fine printing faster and more efficient than ever before.
- Enduring Reliability & Wide Compatibility: With wear-resistant components and a 300°C all-metal hotend, this 3D printer is durable and versatile. It can handle a wide range of filament materials like PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, and PLA-CF (Carbon Fiber).
- User-Friendly Features for Easy Printing: This 3D printer has 49-point (7x7) automatic bed leveling, an integrated design for easy installation, and power and filament outage recovery functions. The PEI flexible magnetic plate provides a stable and easy-to-remove printing surface, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
- 【Use for】Resin 3D printer mini heater designed for Resin 3D printers, it is small but powerful, for use in cold weather. It helps you to heat up the resin and rise the ambient temperature. Make your 3D printer work well, save your time and Resin material.
- 【Professional design】Our temperature controller use in cold weather,when temperature lower than 75F/24C, will cause so many problems in LCD DLP 3D print. Such as Print not sticking to the bed, Layer adhesion, warming, and so on. Finally, printing fails.
- 【Professionally manufactured】Our 3D printer heater built-in high-precision industry temperature sensor, accurate to 0.1 ℃. Fireproof case, high-quality power cord, all professionally designed for your safe printing.
- 【Small size】Our 3D printer Thermostat 10.8x5.7x3.2cm/4.25x5.24x1.25 in, 117grams, Prefect for 8-15 inch Resin 3D printer, It only takes 10 minutes from 40F to 80F, for use in cold weather.
- If the heater doesn't work within one year, contact us to get a replacement.
- ★ Latest CNC Shield Expansion Board V3.0 ★-CNC shield board is updated version 3.0, which is suitable for CH340G Shield 3.0 version compatible with for ArduinoIDE, GRBL 0.9.
- ★ Professional 3D printer CNC Kit ★ This is a professional 3d printer DIY kit with multiple types of modules or components you need. It is a great assortment set for starters and professionals.
- ★ Premium Quality ★ Each part of this Logrunner 3d printer conk kit was made of premium material. These components can be used in a wide range of application.
- ★ DRV8825 Stepper Motor Driver with Heat Sinks ★ High quality stepper motor drive with 4 Aluminum Cooler, running within 2.5A current (Maximum), compatible with for ArduinoIDE software and hardware.
- ★ Good after-sales service. We'll respond within 24 hours for any questions.
- 【PLUG AND PLAY】Supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi, enhancing connection success. Simply download the "Beagleprint" APP and connect WiFi and the cable to start. Say goodbye to the hassle of constantly plugging and unplugging the SD card Enter the intelligent printing era with the Beagle V2 camera for 3d printer. 1/4 universal screw hole with the tripod with 360 head for easy placement and adjust any angle you want.
- 【REMOTE MONITOR & CONTROL ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME】With this 3d printer camera, you can Real-time check the printing status and control your printers anywhere and anytime by PC browser (in LAN) or APP. Especially since you can stop printing in time when meeting issues to save the filament, time, and money. Upgraded chipset, higher stability. The printing notification push function keeps you informed throughout the printing process.
- 【4 AUTO TIME-LAPSE VIDEO MODES】Unleash your creativity and capture every moment of your 3D printing process with this 3D Printer accessory of Beagle V2. These 3d printer accessories not only allow you to record your print's progress but also enable you to effortlessly create and share captivating videos. Please ensure that you upload the gcode file to the camera and initiate printing through the camera. Otherwise, the time-lapse video will not be generated.
- 【SUPPORT MANUAL FOCUS & DIGITAL ZOOM】Upgraded design of manual focus button on this 3d print camera, which allows you to have precise control over the focus, ensuring clear and sharp images of your 3D prints. Especially when you are making time-lapse videos. With the digital zoom feature, you can zoom in on specific details for a closer inspection remotely, in case there are any issues with the print.
- 【WIDELY COMPATIBLITY】This wifi remote control 3d printed camera is designed to be compatible with 100+ FDM 3D printer models, including Marlin and Klipper printers, such as Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro/Plus, Creality Ender 3/Pro/V2/max/S1/S1 Pro, Anycubic Kobra Vyper/Max/Plus, Voxelab/Elegoo/Prusa, etc 3d printers. Note: Before placing your order, kindly review the list of compatible 3D printers and ensure to Select the correct machine type, either Marlin or Klipper, during setup.
- BIGTREETECH Combo Set: Comes with BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0 32 bit control board and TFT35 E3 V3.0.1 touch screen display with dual modes as a set. perfect for Ender 3 3D Printer, plug and playing, Adopted the latest G0 series MCU-STM32G0B0RET6 main control chip packing excellent performances
- Upgraded More Capabilities: Intergrated with TMC2209 V1.3 mute stepper driver, BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0 motherboard offers silent performance as default, and supports dual Z steppers for linear rail and belt upgrades, filament runout support, automatic shutdown (UPS support), power-off resume, sensorless homing and so on
- Impressive Heat Dissipation: The BTT SKR MINI E3 V3.0 silent board also looks aesthetic with upgraded designs.New heatsink and 3 PWM controlled fans serve to cool down the machine during printing, effectively improving performances on heat dissipation. A direct 3D printer control board replacement for Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, and Ender 5 3D Printer motherboards
- Supports Touch and Graphic Display: BTT tft35-e3 v3.0 display enables you to easily switch between the Marlin LCD emulator and touch screen with menu interface, simply by pressing and holding the selector wheel. It's a plug and play on Ender series printers with BTT SKR MINI E3 V3.0 control board.（Note: When running Klipper firmware, tft35 e3 v3.0.1 display only support 12864 mode)
- Satisfying After-Sales Support: If you have any problems about BTT SKR MINI E3 V3.0 with TFT35 E3 V3.0.1 smart display combo sets, please feel free to tell us anytime. We have profession technical supports team to help you as soon as we can
- 【Versatile 3D Printer & Quiet Printing】Adventurer 5M Pro is a versatile tool that can be used for parent-child bonding activities, household repairs, and creative teaching. Its fully enclosed design allows you fast and easy use while enjoying the process. Standard mode: 50dB; an additional low-speed silent mode to ensure uninterrupted focus during work or study.
- 【Advanced Auto-Leveling System】The Adventurer 5M Series is equipped with an automatic leveling system that can be activated with just one click. It utilizes distance measurements to calculate the necessary offsets, eliminating the need for manual Z-axis calibration. This ensures a flawless first layer every time.
- 【Secure Printing Assured】Your health is our concern. Adventurer 5M Pro features a closed structure and dual filtration system to optimize air quality during printing. It includes a HEPA13 and activated carbon filter to block 99% of particulate matter and VOCs, making it safe for home or classroom use.
- 【Support Multi-Material Applications】Equipped with 280℃ high-temp direct drive extruder and multi-diameter quick detachable nozzles available: 0.25/0.4/0.6/0.8mm, free choice of high fineness and high efficiency mode printing, matching a variety of filaments: TPU, ASA, PLA, ABS, PETG, PLA-CF, PETG-CF.
- 【Smarter Control & More Efficiency】Orca-Flashforge slicer supports one-click group file sending and multi-printer network print monitoring, while you can use Flash Maker APP to manage devices, remote monitoring, view the print status in real time from anywhere at any time, adjust parameters, etc.
- 💥 EACH MACHINE Has Been Fully Tested at Our U.S. Based Warehouse to eliminate the chance of damage during overseas transit. This ensures you’ll spend more time printing and less time troubleshooting. If you do have a problem, our full time regional staff will always be here to help.
- 【Independent Dual Extruder Design】Our TL-D3 Pro dual extruder 3D printer has dual nozzles independent of each other, so you can print in dual material/duplication/mirror mode. With dual material printing mode, you can get two color models. Choose duplication or mirror mode, you can get two models of the same color or different colors.
- 【32-Bit Motherboard】: The main chip is upgraded from 8-bit to 32-bit, and the printer runs more smoothly The 32-bit motherboard supports wifi and can control the printer through the Internet!
- 【Print recovery】：The printer can resume printing after a power outage or material supply stops to save time and consumables. You can also print with a custom height.
- 【Springsteel PEI Coated Magnetic Build-plate】 From hundreds of hours of testing, we have determined that the most versatile, effective, and cost efficient printing surface is PEI coated springsteel plating. We have created a dual sided system to allow for smooth surface finishes or rougher textured finishes to ensure maximum adhesion. This interchangeable system allows individual users to get the perfect first layer while allowing print farms to maximize production with hot-swappable plates.
- The fifth stepper motor output port can be customized as a Z-axis motor or a second extruder.
- Can be extended to control other accessories.
- Three field effect transistors, three heater / fan output ports, three thermistor circuits.
- Heated bed control, extra 11A fuse.
- Pololu board foot socket, can be easily replaced or removed.
Best 3d Printer Controllers Buying Guide
Before choosing the best 3D printer controller you should consider following options:
1. RAM Memory: RAM memory is the fastest form of computer memory. It acts as a temporary storage location for the operating system and program files a computer uses.
For 3D printer controllers, RAM memory is used to store information while programs run. It is important that you purchase a 3D printer controller with enough RAM memory to run the programs you will use.
If you are planning to print large, complex objects, you will need a 3D printer controller with at least 1GB of RAM memory. If you are using your 3D printer controller for simpler 3D printing jobs, 512MB will be enough.
2. Flash Memory: Flash memory is a non-volatile storage medium. This means that it can store information even when the power is off.
The information stored in flash memory is used to control the printer’s functions. 3D printer controllers with more flash memory have a higher level of customization.
If you are new to 3D printing and are unsure what settings to use when printing, a 3D printer controller with a limited amount of flash memory may be best.
3. ROM Memory: ROM memory is a non-rewritable form of computer memory that holds an operating system and program instructions.
For a 3D printer controller, ROM memory is used to store the operating system. A higher amount of ROM memory allows the 3D printer controller to run more efficiently and with fewer errors.
A 3D printer controller with 512MB of ROM memory is recommended for new users. Experienced users may find that a 3D printer controller with 1GB of ROM memory is more than enough.
What else you should know about 3d printer controllers
1. What are the different types of 3D printer controllers?
There are three main types of printer controllers:
1. Stand-alone controllers: These controllers are typically dedicated to a single printer and are not connected to a network. They are typically used for lower-end printers.
2. Embedded controllers: These controllers are built into the printer itself and are used for mid-range and high-end printers.
3. Networked controllers: These controllers are connected to a network and can be used to control multiple printers.
2. What are the benefits of using a 3D printer controller?
A printer controller is a device that helps manage printing jobs and sends them to the appropriate printer. It can be used to monitor the progress of print jobs, track printer usage, and control access to printers.
3. What are the features of a 3D printer controller?
Some features of a printer controller may include:
-The ability to connect to and control multiple printers simultaneously
-A user-friendly interface for managing print jobs
-Support for a variety of printing technologies (e.g., inkjet, laser, thermal, etc.)
-Advanced features for managing color printing, paper size and orientation, and other print job settings
4. How does a 3D printer controller work?
A printer controller is a device that connects a printer to a computer. It allows the computer to send data to the printer and receive data from the printer.
5. What are the limitations of a 3D printer controller?
Some printer controllers only work with specific types of printers, so if you change printers you may need to also change the controller. Printers also require specific types and amounts of ink or toner, which the controller may not be able to accommodate.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best 3d printer controllers. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best 3d printer controllers will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.